Like how he compares Kobe and MJ in the article: ---------------------------------------------------- Stephen A. Smith | Bryant, Lakers reap results of discontent By Stephen A. Smith Inquirer Columnist AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - They slapped the Lakers into awareness from the moment this series began. They put the basketball world on notice, exposing the vulnerability mother nature had imposed on a goliath. And while Kobe Bryant was busy missing shots, while Shaquille O'Neal was busy missing more free throws, the Pistons ended up with little acclaim, barely an individual worth mentioning. Just an NBA championship. One in which they insultingly undressed the Lakers last night in capturing Game 5, 100-87. Larry Brown, Rasheed Wallace, Richard Hamilton and the Detroit Pistons collectively spent a series spanking the Lakers into oblivion, capturing their first NBA championship in 14 years in a fashion that was both shocking and alarming. The Lakers were completely annihilated, bum-rushed in such conspicuous fashion, they should hesitate to show their faces to family and friends. The Pistons' defense would be the primary culprit for the Lakers' demise, allowing 90-plus points in only one game this series. Ben Wallace would be another, considering his monstrous performances. But in the end, once the dust settles, Detroit's spectacular showing will be coupled with the demise of a potential dynasty. One that succumbed to adversity, egos and too much petulance. And more than anyone else, that malady will fall at the steps of the man who-would-not-be-Michael Jordan: Kobe Bryant. Bryant would get a chance to lose this fight his way. Swinging with haymakers instead of jabs. No pitty-pats. No slaps. Would it be enough? No. He did score 24 points but shot just 7 of 21 from the field. The reality is, the Lakers entered this game in dire straits, reeling like an aging champion, looking for help from anyone, anywhere, receiving sympathy from no one, including themselves. Months of bickering and in-fighting evidently had reaped its consequences. A loss would provoke an abrupt beginning to summertime - appropriately, a reprieve from everyone but themselves. Ben Wallace, unknown for his offensive prowess, was a monster, finishing with 18 points and 22 rebounds, and outplaying O'Neal, who finished with just 20 points and eight rebounds. Richard Hamilton was still having his way with whomever Lakers' coach Phil Jackson put on him. While Bryant was busy saying the Lakers would not lose last night, intimating that he would complete the task of ensuring a return to Los Angeles by himself if he had to, the Pistons spent most of the half making him eat his words, forcing him into 4-of-12 shooting, pushing and shoving the Lakers at their discretion, reducing the significance of Bryant's words to mere fodder at every possible turn. Perhaps he should spend the offseason concentrating on himself. Bryant's season would've been so much easier had he avoided his legal troubles, but he also could have helped himself and his team had he not gotten into a verbal sparring match with O'Neal before the season even began. Then there were the spats and the disrespect he had shown coach Phil Jackson, publicizing his lack of respect during all-star weekend, further alienating himself from the rest of the team. In fact, after the game, Jackson said the chances of him returning to coach the Lakers are "pretty slim." His refusal to get the ball to O'Neal in Game 4, their last shot at winning this series, would prove to be the fatal blow and final piece of proof to such assertions about Bryant's game, if not his character. There was a dunk here, a jumper there, last night - some semblance of Bryant's greatness displayed in front of millions. But beneath the veneer, glowing with all that talent, was the reality that he has a long way to go. As Wallace dunked, the Lakers had no response. As series MVP Chauncey Billups scored, the Lakers grew quieter, folding amid adversity. Michael Jordan once found Craig Hodges. He spent years finding B.J. Armstrong. He won championships finding John Paxson, then Steve Kerr. Yet, Bryant could not - would not - find O'Neal when a championship was hanging in the balance. In the end, he can say what he wants, blaming everything from O'Neal's missed free throws to a lack of supporting personnel, pointing to all those games he had helped win in a season that ended with 56 regular-season victories. But one's final stance is what most people are judged on. Bryant can evade what transpired, interpreting it any way he wants. But the memories won't go away. For any of us. If he's truthful, not even for himself.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Michael Jordan once found Craig Hodges. He spent years finding B.J. Armstrong. He won championships finding John Paxson, then Steve Kerr. Yet, Bryant could not - would not - find O'Neal when a championship was hanging in the balance.</div> Excellent point made by my favorite basketball analyst Stephen A. Smith. Game 4 was the critical game in which the Lakers had to tie this series up if they wanted to have any chance of returning the series back to Los Angeles, but due to ego and selfishness, it showed the true character this guy really has. No way is he even close on Jordan's pedestal.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Emo:</div><div class="quote_post">Excellent point made by my favorite basketball analyst Stephen A. Smith. Game 4 was the critical game in which the Lakers had to tie this series up if they wanted to have any chance of returning the series back to Los Angeles, but due to ego and selfishness, it showed the true character this guy really has. No way is he even close on Jordan's pedestal.</div> Agreed....Bryant has the talent to suceed,and be a bigger star than he is,but i really don't think his ego would let him be a "team player"..Jordan was a team player,and he had class,and Bryant on occasian has shown he has the skill's to be a true great,but i don't see that happening as long as he looks out for himself,and not the other team...as i recall Kobe isn't the entire Laker Team,so he shouldn't act like it And i'll say this:If MJ & Kobe were to play one on one..MJ Would win,hands down,no doubt! :thumbsup:
Stephon A Smith is the man, he isn't afraid to say anything. Kobe is definatly not Jordan and if he was, then we would be watching a 6th game tomorrow.
Lets not blaim it all on Kobe. Stephen A. Smith has some good points but its not all Kobe's fault. It's always easy to blame it on one man. Lets not forget what Kobe has done for the Lakers. Are we forgetting the game against Portland?? Who saved the Lakers then and made the Laker pacific division leader?? Just because he made some mistakes in game 4 we all gonna blame him. Well not me. I believe that Kobe is coming back next year stronger than ever and showing everybody what a great leader he can be
You cant blame this all on Kobe, no one other than Kobe and Shaq scored more than 9 points in any of the series, that is where the blame goes, and it is Kobe's job to shoo the ball in the 4th quarter, Phil has said it multiple times, you cant rely on Shaq because of his FT shooting.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Kobe 8 Ball:</div><div class="quote_post">You cant blame this all on Kobe, no one other than Kobe and Shaq scored more than 9 points in any of the series, that is where the blame goes, and it is Kobe's job to shoo the ball in the 4th quarter, Phil has said it multiple times, you cant rely on Shaq because of his FT shooting.</div> this is very true, shaq is not a good ft shooter, and kobe has to take shots, and making them would be nice. But when there the only ones that score, u know theres gonna be a problem.
If they keep on bashing Kobe and junk that man will most likely leave the Lakers and go to some other team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Michael Jordan once found Craig Hodges. He spent years finding B.J. Armstrong. He won championships finding John Paxson, then Steve Kerr. Yet, Bryant could not - would not - find O'Neal when a championship was hanging in the balance.</div> The thing that made MJ great is his desire to make the game-winner or the difference maker when most needed. He'll demand the ball BUT he'll do whatever it takes to make the win. Either by making the game winning shot or the game winning assist. He trusts his teammates, that's why his teammates trust him. In doing so, his teammates swallowed their pride and got contented being tagged along in the MJ show. Sure Kobe isn't the only at fault here. But it would've made a lot of difference if he gave Shaq the ball. Sure they'd foul him. That's why he needs to give the ball to Shaq at the right time. Look at Luke Walton. If he wasn't a rookie, he could've made a bigger difference. Shaq even said that he's surprised that a rookie can give him the ball AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME when his teammates for 7-8 years can't even give him the ball.
that is just ridiculous kobe is not blameless, nobody on the lakers is, but to put all that on kobe? far too convenient an article topic if anything, kobe is the reason they got as far as they did, shaq is great but he's not the dominant force he once was and many people still seem to see him as, and he can't do it all himself - force feeding shaq would not have beaten detroit kobe's shots were not falling, he clearly was not at his best... we've all seen him at his best, the guy is unstoppable when he's on, and he belives in himself more than we do, the mark of all great players. if his shots aren't going, he is going to keep taking the shots when he's got them, as he should, rather than dish the ball off to... payton? i dont have the stats but fisher, rush, george did not shoot the ball very well either except in sporadic stretches, there's no steve kerr in that group. kobe's buzzer 3 pointer in game2 made him a hero - he believed in himself and took the shot and made it. that's what the great players do. this just wasn't his series. I don't see hwere all the arguments bashing his shot selection come from - his shot selection was generally quite good. there were stretches where he forced some, but every single laker player took many bad shots. for the record, i wanted the pistons to win, i'm not a lakers fan, but the article blames kobe waaay too much for the loss of the entire lakers team
Being a longtime Laker fan, I have seen some of the best players in the NBA and Kobe is currently one of the best. Considering what he went through this season with his injuries, trial hearings and fight with Jackson and Shag, he has had a good season. Yes, I wished he had done better in Game 5 but the Lakers are a team and not just Kobe and Shaq. Jackson has almost decided he won't be back next season so maybe Kobe will stay. It would be hard to choose between Kobe and Shaq but Kobe has more to offer the Lakers in future years. Shaq said last night he might not be back for the 2004-2005 season. I want both Shaq and Kobe to stay if possible. GO LAKERS :thumbsup:
Kobe's play has really come as a shock to me. He just got totally shut down. The teammates didn't give him the ball when he wanted it, so when he did get it, he took wild shots. He should've just talked to his teammates and tell them that he is one of their leaders, and he wants to take them on his shoulders. But when he did have the ball, but he was guarded heavily, he should've just dumped it downlow to Diesel. This just comes to show that no matter how much Kobe is compared to MJ, he needs to prove himself more to even be like Mike. I thought Kobe was the next MJ, but maybe he was just burnt out from going to trial and playing excellent ball for too long. The jet lag must have just caught up to him and he couldn't go nomore.
I like Stephen A. Smith and I'm a fan of his, but I don't agree with his pointing the finger at Kobe Bryant. Being selfish is what got Kobe where he is today. Being selfish is what seperated Jordan from the rest of the league. Neither are afraid to shoot the ball and take the final shots for the team. They shoulder the responsibility for hitting the game winner or not. Kobe did have a poor series, but it had more to do with the Piston's defense than his ego. Without anyone on the Lakers hitting wide open shots, the Pistons were able to double and triple Kobe everytime he touched the ball. Believe me, Kobe has no problem driving to the hoop, but with 2 or 3 guys on you and filling your lanes, it makes it a lot harder. This is a team game and it's ridiculous to solely blame Kobe. Every Laker had a part in them getting dominated against the Pistons, including Phil Jackson. Just give Shaq the ball, it's a lot easier said than done. Shaq didn't get the ball on a lot of plays, because he wasn't working hard to get the ball. He was lazy with his footwork and the Lakers didn't do a good job moving without the ball. The Pistons also did a good job of taking off time from the shotclock by pressuring the ball handler. This makes it hard to have Shaq get good position and then make a shot. The bottomline is Stephen A. Smith needs to blame the team, not the man, for this series.
^ I completely agree with Shapecity, and I also believe this should not be blamed on one man. Without Kobe the Lakers would not be in the finals, just as they wouldn't be there without Shaq. Every superstar takes a lot of shots, good and bad. If he shot the ball at a higher pecentage no one would even consider blaming it on Kobe, but because he didn't shoot the ball well they criticize him on taking bad shots. To me that seems a little childish to be blaming someone when they lose but praise him when he plays well. Writers will always do this, but I just hate the 180 they do when writing their stories. When a Player does well they say he's the best player in the league, but when he plays poorly they call him selfish.. Something tells me that ain't right? Also to note on getting the ball to Shaq more, but I felt they rode him as much as they could. In those two games where he shot more than 20 shots he seemed drained by the end of the game, and he couldn't play any kind of defense.. Well his defense wasn't good all series really, but you get the point. Shaq had to work around the fresh bodies off the bench every few minutes, and really had to fight hard to get the ball. The Pistons did a great job fronting him and denying the ball, so I don't see how they could only blame Kobe for not getting it to him enough. This was a TEAM loss to the Pistons, and it wasn't Kobe's fault. EDIT: a little note - Kobe was the only Laker to play defense throughout the series.
^ I don't think he was calling Kobe selfish and Jordan unselfish straight up, or at least making that particular point. Everyone knows that MJ could be selfish, a the best players have to be arrogant and put themselves first at times. But what is true is that MJ would defer to his teammates if it meant a better shot at winning, whereas Kobe hasn't shown an ability to do that in the pressure situations, instead feeling he has to attempt to take the game over. MJ was the best option on his team too, Kobe isn't, and I don't think he accepts this half the time.
Well I would argue Shaq is only the number one option in certain situations. The past two seasons the Lakers have relied on Kobe down the stretch and he has been the number one option. Jordan was the best option, but I think Stephen A. Smith is giving him far, too much credit for deferring offense to Paxson, BJ, and Kerr. The Shaq-Kobe dynamic is completely different then anything Jordan had to deal with. Those 3 are mentioned because of the game winners they hit after Jordan bailed out on his shot and dished it to them. You can hardly call that having confidence or deferring offense to them. If Shaq is looking to blame Kobe for not getting him the ball, then how about Shaq controlling the rebounds and dominating the paint. He out hustled on every shot attempt and the Pistons capitalized on it. They even had more points in the paint, hardly a dominating performance for Shaq. He was getting it done on offense, but gave it right back on defense. And of course his horrendous FT shooting. The Lakers need them both to win, but both need to take blame for the series, not just Kobe.
There were many instances of Jordan not trusting his teammates. Because of his status as the GOAT, however, people tend to forget that he was also very prone to taking bad shots and trying to take over on his own and failing. Kobe's much worse at it, though.
When they ask about this season you aint gon just put ya head down ma Straighten up ma you can smile now, Im proud Dont blame this on Kobe or someone else on the team. We have to admit that the Pistons were the better team this year. Im looking forward to next season. Dont be mad about the lose but remember all the good things that the Lakers gave us this season.
^Like that positive post. I can't blame Kobe for not trusting his teammates. He did give his other teammates the ball in game 4, but they could do nothing with it. Kobe was the only 1 to play D, but just the most disappointing part of this series was that there wasn't any 3rd option. None what so ever. GP only averaged 4.2 ppg in the finals.
